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| MoU on electronic business between IEC, ISO, ITU, and UN/ECE |
| MoU on electronic business in support of e-commerce |
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The International Telecommunication Union signed on 24 March 2000 a Memorandum of Understanding on electronic business,
joining three leading international standards-setting organizations already party to the
MoU, namely the International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the United Nations
Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE). In addition to the four signatories, the MoU is open to other international, regional, governmental,
industry and consumer organizations whose core mission involves standards-setting, as registered international user groups. CALS1 International and NATO CALS
were the initial user group participants.
"The purpose of the MoU is to minimize the
risk of divergent and competitive approaches to standardization, avoid
duplication of efforts and avoid confusion amongst users" said Houlin Zhao,
Director of ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau when signing the
agreement on behalf of the ITU "The MoU will also provide greater intersectoral
coherence in the field of electronic business, an important step considering the
uptake of e-commerce" Zhao added.
Mr. Yves Berthelot, Executive Secretary
to UN/ECE, stressed that the participation of ITU is essential to secure the
interoperability required by the network economy. He further added, "When
countries adopt international standards and harmonize their technical
regulations worldwide, everybody stands to gain. Moreover, the development of
technical instruments shared by all countries facilitates and strengthens their
involvement in harmonious economic relations. This vital role of international
standards as the technical foundation for the global market is explicitly
recognized by the World Trade Organization".
The MoU establishes a coordination mechanism under a unique cooperative model to produce mutually
supportive standards required in business transactions (data interchange and
interoperability) as well as products design and manufacturing to meet the
urgent needs of both the industry and the end-users. Electronic business covers
the information definition and exchange requirements within and between
enterprises, including customers. Given that it provides the vital framework for
e-commerce, it is intended that this MoU will support this rapidly changing and
fast growing business sector.
ISO Secretary-General, Dr. Lawrence D. Eicher, commented: "This MoU is an excellent practical example of greater
partnership between the governmental and private sectors. It lays the foundation
for a healthy future development of e-commerce to the benefit of all
stakeholders."
Under the MoU, the four organizations undertake to review
their standardization activities and develop a joint, coordinated programme for
standards development and publication which will benefit the
marketplace.
The MoU is open to other international, regional,
governmental, industry and consumer organizations whose core mission involves
standards-setting.
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